A Casa with Franco Nuschese

The backyard terrace provides a place for parties overlooking the lawn and swimming pool. Set below its stone wall, the arched doorway leads to a storage room that doubles as a staging area for caterers.

The most frequently used space – and the coziest – is a sitting room nestled into a curved, windowed bay overlooking the garden at the rear. Cushy, canvas-covered armchairs are arranged for conversation next to an English desk and Italian oak armoire, which conceals stereo equipment and CDs. Library shelves are filled with books by Mario Puzo, Bill Clinton, Ben Bradlee and other Cafe Milano regulars, all inscribed with personal messages by their authors.

From his desk, Nuschese often fields the inevitable business calls during his off-hours. As president of the Georgetown Entertainment Group LLC, he not only manages Cafe Milano, but also the Dupont Circle pizzeria Sette Osteria, started in 2004, and the Clarendon restaurant Sette Bello, opened last year. Today, the entrepreneur is on the phone making sure actors Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffin are well attended during their late lunch at Cafe Milano.